No new 'Initial Accomodation' for Asylum Seekers in Thanet

Stephen Ladyman working for South Thanet

Welcome to my website. As well as telling you about my work this web site is designed to give you the opportunity to tell me what you think about the key issues that affect us in South Thanet.

The more you help me by giving me your opinions the more I can shape events in our community in the way that you want.

e-mail a friend about this site

Do you think that Veterans Day should be made a national holiday?
The 27th June is National Veterans Day, where we give thanks for all those who have served in the Armed Forces. Do you think that Veterans Day should be made a national bank holiday?

No	Vote
Yes	Vote

By subscribing to my newsletter I can send you information about local issues and my thoughts about the national, local and international issues that affect us. I promise not to e-mail you too often and you can unsubscribe whenever you want. The Labour Party and its elected representatives may use the data you have supplied. If you do not wish to be contacted by the Labour Party please unsubscribe by clicking here.

No new 'Initial Accomodation' for Asylum Seekers in Thanet

Rumours that initial accommodation for Asylum Seekers would be based in Thanet are unfounded says local MP Steve Ladyman. It had been rumoured that a private company was proposing to use a Cliftonville Hotel as a place where new asylum seekers would be housed until long term accommodation was found for them.

The rumours began because the Border and Immigration Agency sought proposals from companies to replace contracts that expire at the end of March 2008. A private bidder for the new contract had claimed that he was looking at a bid based on property in Dover but his 'second choice' was Thanet.

Stephen Ladyman said:

"I said at the time that Thanet and Dover were not the right place for this type of accommodation and that something closer to Croydon and Gatwick Airport, were most asylum seekers arrive, would be more suitable. Gwyn Prosser and myself worked very hard to make sure ministers knew how we felt."

"Now the Government have confirmed that its bidders were asked to provide proposals based around the Croydon Aslyum Screening Unit but the private bidders offered East Kent options as a variant to their main proposal. The Government have, however, made it clear that they are not pursuing either 'variant' proposal and are only interested in bids around Croydon."

"It is right that we provide decent support for genuine asylum seekers but it is also right that initial accommodation is close to the Screening Unit in Croydon. I'm pleased with this outcome."